Cell-free DNA integrity: Applications

Abstract

Cell-free DNA integrity (cfDNAi) could be a valuable biomarker for solid tumors, to define prognosis and response to therapy. Several elements have been studied for cfDNAi, such as specific genes involved in cancer progression or repetitive DNA sequences as surrogate markers for the whole circulating DNA. However, the lack of a standardized method for cfDNAi evaluation remains one of its main critical issues. Apoptotic index (AI) and integrity index (II) of cfDNA could be useful biomarkers to identify the patients likely to recur, progress, or relapse, which is an urgent need in translational research in oncology. Here it is provided an adequate method of cfDNAi analysis: a cheap and reproducible tool, robust and performable in all laboratories using a real-time PCR instrument.